Why are Meghalaya cops turning ultras? Probe on

The Meghalaya home department has asked its Director General of Police to conduct an internal probe to find out why policemen are deserting the department and joining militant groups.

Home minister H D R Lyngdoh summoned senior police officials on Thursday after yet another instance of a police constable deserting the department and reportedly joining the Garo National Liberation Army.

"The trend is worrying. I have directed my officers to study the allegations against the department and the causes of the desertions and submit a detailed report to me shortly," Lyngdoh said.

He, however, asserted that there was enough room for policemen to air their grievances through meetings convened by the commandant of battalions regularly.

Constable Hubert S Marak, a Police support officer with Nationalist Congress Party MLA Omilo K Sangma, has been missing for the last 15 days with his revolver, carbine and two magazines, and the police suspect he has joined the GNLA.

In January, another constable Savio Marak deserted his company in East Garo Hills district with two INSAS rifles and 60 rounds of ammunition and also joined the militant group which is floated by a deserter deputy superintendent of Meghalaya Police.

The police deserters during telephonic conversations with media persons alleged 'discrimination and harassment' faced by lower rank officials at the hands of seniors. A police headquarters statement on Friday described the allegation as baseless and unfounded.